Wednesday, July 27, 2022

It was Friday morning and Kresha Matkin was shopping at Walmart in Many.  She said two men started following her around making sexual comments, making gestures toward her and saying inappropriate things.   She said they were “basically being jerks.”  At the start, she said a third person was with them who appeared to be high school age, but the third guy then left.

If you know Kresha Matkin, you know that you don’t fool with her.  We appreciate her being strong-willed and always trying to do what is right.

She continued, “I should have known they weren’t right when the second one was riding in the buggy while the guy in red pushed him around laughing. They were making cat calls and gesturing with their tongues out.”

Well, being the fast thinker she is, Kresha turned the tables on the two.  She continued, “I walked right up to them and said ‘smile’ as I took their picture.  They go into panic mode and man, they couldn’t get away fast enough!!!  Not another word, not another dirty look or comment, not another point in my direction followed by inappropriate gestures, [it was] crickets…  They bolted,” she shared.

“Maybe if more women started doing this, people like this wouldn’t be so bold in their harassment,” she added.

And in her post, Ms. Matkin said, “I don’t know who these two guys are and I don’t care if they are your son, husband, uncle or brother.  …Please do not get on here talking about ‘that’s my brother and he would never… that’s my cousin’s husband and he a great guy.’  I can assure you there was NOTHING great about their behavior.”

Ms. Matkin told Observations that after her post, she was contacted by 21 different women who have had similar experiences with the two.  She said officers with the Many Police Department called her about the matter following her Facebook post on the incident.  Many Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley reported to Observations Tuesday morning that Ms. Matkin had not yet come forward to file a complaint.

Ms. Matkin said of the two, by the way they acted she felt they were very comfortable behaving that way.  “It made me angry,” she said.  She feels that a lot of women who are in such circumstances are too uncomfortable or embarrassed to make an issue of it.  Continuing, she said, “A lot of women don’t know what to do.  The second I took their pictures, one became angry, and they left immediately.”

Thinking ahead, she wondered if the two might be waiting for her outside Walmart.  So, she sent the two guys’ photos to her husband along with an explanation in case something happened to her, someone would know. 

“You’re in a public place,” she advised other women. “They are not going to attack you there, so you are free to make an issue of it.”  She urged ladies caught in such circumstances to “make an issue of it.”

Chief Wooley said her department had reached out to Ms. Matkin, but as of press deadline, she had not come in to file a report.  The Chief said her department has not received but one other such complaint.  District Attorney Don Burkett said he has not received any complaints about such matters.

Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Walker said no complaints have come into that department about such incidents.  He said he has advised Deputies to get the film of the incident from Walmart to have on hand in the event charges are filed.

The Facebook post by Ms. Matkin was hot with comments.

Bonnie Speight:  “You go girl!  You are so right, they want attention, give it to them.”

Heather Freeland-Johnson:  “Get ‘em sister!”

Marcy Sepulvado:  “You Get’em Girl.”

Joanie Dahlem:  “They obviously didn’t know who they were messing with.  Get ‘em!”

Dawn Kay:  “They must not have jobs because I have seen them in there several times.  Always acting like children when I see them.”

Lisa Toopes Remedies:  “Good for you doing this.”

Tammy Mangum Fiscus:  “Maybe security or management should be notified if they are harassing customers.”

Tammy Haymon Schamerhorn:  “That’s a great idea!”

Cheyenne Renee Campbell:  “The one in the orange made me so uncomfortable in the gym on multiple occasions and would almost follow me through out every workout.  I’ve had issues with him on multiple occasions.”

Samantha Ann Warner:  “Please always let office staff know.  We can’t do anything if not told.  We definitely will take care of those situations for you!”

Tom Harless:  Speaking of taking pictures, “Great idea.  Before cell phones I taught my daughters how and where to punch.”

Ms. Matkin replied: “I can punch just fine, but was hoping to stay out of jail.”

Kathy Rushing:  “Way to go.  Now the shoe is on the other foot.”

Jacob Williams:  “I know ‘em both.  One of them works for me.  I’ll definitely let him know next time I see him, if he doesn’t already.”

Annette Blocker:  “This is happening all over.  Not sure what is going on and why men are thinking this is okay.”

Ember O’Bannon:  “I wish I would have done this to the man that was messing with his self staring at me at the store!!”

Whitney Byles Knippers:  “Guy in orange shirt followed me around the old All Hours through an entire workout and cardio session multiple times!  I finally told someone and haven’t seen him at the new one, thank God!”

Debet Spears LeBlanc:  “Someone needs to kick him in the [cojones] if they are sitting about where his tonsils are.  Maybe he won’t be so brave.”

Kaden Edwards:  “Do I need to make a trip back down to Many and put these two on they ass?”

Jenny Salter Petit:  “I’m so glad you did this!  Would have never crossed my mind!  Perfect idea!”

Congratulations to Judge Elizabeth Pickett of Many who was returned to the Third Circuit Court of Appeal without opposition as qualifying ended on Friday, July 22.

In the 1996 fall election, Jeannette Knoll was elected to the Supreme Court, creating a vacancy on the Court of Appeal in Voter District 1.  The election to fill that vacancy was in April 1997, and Judge Elizabeth A. Pickett was elected to fill the vacancy.  Also in the running were Ned Randolph, who was Mayor of Alexandria, and John McLure, an insurance defense attorney.

She was re-elected to this position unopposed in 2002 and again in 2012.  This will be her last term in office.

Judge Pickett was born in Converse and raised in Sabine Parish, the daughter of Judge and Mrs. John S. Pickett Jr.  She attended college at Tulane University in New Orleans, graduating with a BA in 1981.  She then attended Tulane Law School and was graduated in 1984 with a JD.

After graduating from law school, she returned to Many and opened a private practice in October 1984.  Then in January 1985, she went to work for the District Attorney’s Office in the 11th Judicial District handling juvenile matters and prosecuting both misdemeanor and felonies in Sabine and DeSoto Parishes.  She also maintained a private practice handling domestic cases, personal injuries, contact issues, real estate title work and real estate transactions.

In 1990, her father, who had served as Judge for the 11th Judicial District since 1972, retired.  She ran for the vacancy and was fortunate enough to be elected and subsequently ran unopposed in 1996.  The 11th District was comprised of both Sabine and DeSoto Parishes at the time.

The Third Circuit Court is comprised of 21 parishes in central and southwest Louisiana.  District l, in which Judge Pickett serves, is comprised of eight northern parishes in the circuit including Sabine, Natchitoches, Grant, LaSalle, Catahoula, Concordia, Rapides and Avoyelles Parishes.

It is interesting to note there weren’t a lot of women practicing law in Northwest Louisiana, especially in rural areas, when Judge Pickett started her practice in 1984.  There were women who had practiced law for many years and some had served as judges in other parts of Louisiana since the 1970s, but not in the northwest part of the state.  Judge Pickett was the first female attorney to live in and maintain a practice in the 11th Judicial District.  She was the first female Assistant District Attorney in the 11th District.  In addition, she was the first female judge elected to not only the 11th District, but to any District Court in Northwest and much of Central Louisiana.

Her father, John S. Pickett Jr., was a highly respected Many attorney.  He was born in Fisher, the son of Judge and Mrs. John Pickett Sr.  The Senior Pickett was a Many attorney and served also as 11th Judicial District Judge.

Judge Pickett Jr. had a commendable World War II record of service.  From 1960-68 he served on the Sabine Parish School Board.  He was State Representative from 1968-72.  He served as District Judge from 1972-90.

Candidate for 11th Judicial District Judge Verity Gentry was unopposed when qualifying ended at 4:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon, July 22. 

Judge Stephen Beasley had earlier announced his resignation from the bench effective April 1 of this year creating a vacancy to be filled in the upcoming Nov. 8 election.

After his announcement in early January, the Campaign to Elect Verity Gentry was formed, including a web site and Facebook page. Verity began traveling Sabine Parish in early April meeting old friends, making new ones, and offering her full support to various activities throughout the parish. Her Campaign Announcement Kickoff of May 17 Facebook post garnered 12,678 views. Successful fundraisers for her also took place during the campaign in Natchitoches and Caddo parishes, as well as by letter and through the campaign web site.

On Friday evening, Judge-elect Gentry shared these remarks online:

“Friends, I was very humbled to learn on Friday afternoon that I did not have any opposition in my campaign to be your 11th Judicial District Judge. I was born and raised in Sabine Parish and growing up, the thought never entered my mind that one day I would be lucky enough to serve as your Judge. I love Sabine and our beautiful people and cannot wait to give back to make our community a better place to live. You have my promise that I will be fair, honest and follow our state and federal constitutions and other laws of this land.

“Campaigning hard for the past several months has been one of the highlights of my life. I have seen so many old friends and met so many new ones. It has been such a joyful experience, and the reception I have had all over Sabine Parish makes me so happy and truly proud to be from this special spot and to have the opportunity to serve.

“I will strive to make our Sabine Parish judicial system one of right over wrong and good over bad. I am a hard worker and will put in the time and effort to make correct legal decisions. I will listen, and I will give my full attention.

“It is my intention to take office after my candidacy has been certified by the Secretary of State. This is expected sometime in August.

“Thanks again to so many people for your warm reception and the high esteem in which you have held me. I promise to give my very best to never let you down. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reports Adam Valentino Hicks, age 44, of Many was sentenced in United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana in Shreveport on Friday, July 15.

Hicks was sentenced to 292 months (24 years, four months) in Federal prison for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team investigated Hick’s illegal narcotic activity last year and Agents discovered he conspired with others to sell methamphetamine.

Hicks had a lengthy criminal history record for narcotic arrests dating back to 1996.

Sheriff Mitchell points out this is the longest sentence handed down by the Federal Court for illegal narcotics since he became Sheriff of Sabine Parish in 2020.

(Thanks to Det. D.W. Seegers for supplying the above information.)

Daron Chandler was sworn in for a second year with the Louisiana School Boards Association (LSBA) on Tuesday, April 26, in Baton Rouge during the Association’s 2022 LSBA Capitol Conference. Mr. Chandler serves as a member of the Sabine Parish School Board representing Ward 1, District 1, and Florien High School.

“I love serving on the LSBA Board of Directors because they stay on the pulse of all things education, lobbying for everything to make our local education the best it can be and against anything that will drag it down,” said Chandler.  “It’s an honor to be a part of that.”

LSBA President Melvin Lodge echoed similar thoughts. “As leaders and board members, we have a responsibility to advocate on behalf of our students, giving them the best possible opportunities to become successful. Mr. Chandler recognizes this and I’m glad to have him as a member of the LSBA’s Board of Directors,” said Lodge.

Chandler has served on the LSBA Board of Directors since 2021 and represents District 5.

“Daron is a great asset to the LSBA and I look forward to continuing to work with him in his role as one of our board members,” said Dr. Janet Pope, LSBA Executive Director. “He truly has a vision for this association and the future of education in Louisiana.”

Terri Matthews has informed Observations that she qualified last week to run for Chief of Police in Robeline.  She has been a critic of the way the Village of Robeline operates for several years.

She said that on Nov. 19, 2019, the Robeline Council voted to put on the ballot the matter of package liquor being sold in the Village.  She said the motion was made by Bubba Ivey with a second by Pam Jennings, and the three on the Council voted for it.  She is wondering why the matter was never brought before the voters.

Her proposal is that Robeline stop being a “speed trap town” and that taxes from the sale of alcohol be used to support the Village.

Ms. Matthews said that Mayor Bobby Behan does not live in the Village limits, and that he should not be running for Mayor.  She said he lives a couple of miles from Robeline on Highway 120 toward Marthaville, and that his son now lives in the Robeline residence where the Mayor used to live.  She said Tuesday morning she has not decided whether or not to file a protest concerning his running.

Small Town Podcast, a podcast devoted to promoting small towns all over the United States interviewed Many Mayor Robert Hable on Monday highlighting Many and the Sabine Parish area.

The podcast host, Mayor Matt Seale of Ocilla, GA, traveled to Many to interview Mayor Hable for an episode in partnership with the Louisiana Municipal Association and sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.

The episode, released July 25, can be found at https://audioboom.com/posts/8126324-mayor-robert-hable-town-of-many-la

The show promotes Many and the Sabine Parish area as a recreational region known as “Sportman’s Paradise” and highlights Hable’s new position as Many Mayor as well as his roots.

Small Town Podcast seeks to shine the spotlight on small towns that are sometimes overshadowed in the media by bigger cities. The series notes that often small towns only make big news when something negative happens. The show endeavors to tell the whole story of small-town living – its joys and its challenges. The Small Town Podcast audience is given the opportunity to learn the personalities of local officials and to hear about the unique qualities of each small town and what it has to offer.

Small Town Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and other podcast applications. For the full list of podcast platforms available or to listen to an episode on the web, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com and go to the “Listen” tab. Listeners can also follow Small Town Podcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to see photos of the towns Matt Seale features.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reports the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office is aware of several scams in progress, especially targeting the elderly.

It is noted some scammers will ask a person to purchase gift cards for large amounts of money from Walmart, Walgreens, or Dollar General. Sheriff Mitchell advises to NEVER purchase gift cards and give the card information to someone who calls or emails. It is always a scam. No legitimate business or company will ever ask someone to purchase a gift card and send them the information from it. They will ask the victim to recite the numbers from the back of the card or to send a photo of the card. The scammer will threaten the victim and/or claim that sending them the card information or photo will keep the victim’s accounts secure.

“Please never do this; this is a scam,” Sheriff Mitchell reiterates.

There are also scammers accessing private email, social media and other accounts in an attempt to access individuals’ personal information. The Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone to change their email, social media and other account passwords frequently.

“Please do not give out any of your personal information to anyone you do not trust,” the SPSO advises.

The Sheriff’s Office has also received several reports lately of callers who claim a person’s social security number has been compromised or locked. “This is a scam,” the SPSO reports, “And we encourage citizens to delete and block the numbers and report the calls to your phone company.”

In addition, the SPSO has received reports regarding spam emails. Victims stated they received emails confirming orders from Amazon. Everyone is advised to be cautious and aware:  “If you have not placed orders with Amazon or do not have an Amazon account, do not open or click on any links in these emails. This is also a scam. Delete the emails and report it to Amazon,” Sheriff Mitchell advises.

There is another scam in progress which claims a person has won a large amount of money, but to collect the funds, the person must first send money to cover taxes or other fees. This is a scam. No legitimate prize-winning organization ever requests a winner to send money before receiving a prize.

“These scammers find new ways every day to take your money and access your personal information and they are almost impossible to locate or track. We cannot stress this enough; do not be a victim,” the SPSO admonishes.

Persons are asked to please be aware and report any possible scam directly to the business the scammer claims to work for, and to notify a local law enforcement agency.

Sheriff Mitchell asks everyone to please share this information with family and friends, especially the elderly, who may not have social media.

Fraud and scams may also be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.

And in other SPSO news, Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reports Ronald Carnell Holland Jr., age 24, of Many was sentenced in United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana in Shreveport on Wednesday, July 20.

Holland received 111 months (nine years, three months) in Federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for Possession of Flualprazolam with intent to distribute and Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

These charges are the result of a search warrant which was executed on April 14, 2021, at Holland’s residence in Many by the Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT). TNT Agents seized three loaded handguns, as well as a high-capacity drum magazine loaded with 48 rounds of ammunition. In addition, Agents recovered 2,000 Flualprazolam pills, cash, boxes of various ammunition, clear plastic baggies, and measuring scale.

This case was investigated by the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown and Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell.

Sheriff Mitchell pointed out this is the second Federal sentence handed down this month for narcotic charges investigated by the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Mitchell said there will be more Federal indictments and sentences in the near future.

(Special thanks to Det. D.W. Seegers for the above report.)

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